Depo-Provera is a birth control shot used by millions of women to prevent pregnancy. It contains a synthetic hormone called medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), which mimics the natural hormone progesterone to stop ovulation. The shot is administered once every three months, making it a convenient and long-lasting contraceptive option.
According to CDC data, about 1 in 4 sexually active women in the U.S. have used Depo-Provera at some point.
It’s especially popular among women seeking low-maintenance birth control that doesn’t require daily pills.
More than 1,300 women have filed lawsuits against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, alleging that the drug caused them to develop meningioma brain tumors.
- The lawsuits claim Pfizer knew or should have known about the risk but failed to warn users.
- These cases have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in federal court to streamline proceedings.
- Pfizer has argued that the FDA did not approve adding a warning about brain tumor risk to the drug’s label, but recent studies challenge that stance.
>“Women should be cautioned about the prolonged use of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate],” states a 2025 study cited by NewsNation[.
Meningiomas are tumors that form in the meninges, the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord. While typically non-cancerous, they can cause serious health issues:
- Symptoms include headaches, seizures, vision problems, and other neurological complications.
- Treatment often involves surgery, and in some cases, long-term monitoring or radiation therapy.
Recent research published in JAMA Neurology found that women who used Depo-Provera for more than one year had a fivefold increase in the risk of developing meningiomas.
- Meningiomas often contain progesterone receptors, which may be stimulated by the synthetic hormone in Depo-Provera, contributing to tumor growth.
Black women are disproportionately impacted by this issue due to higher prescription rates of Depo-Provera:
- CDC data shows that Black women are prescribed Depo-Provera at nearly twice the national average.
- This trend is linked to factors like accessibility, affordability, and historical targeting of marginalized communities for long-acting contraceptives.
>“The controversy is particularly important to Black women,” notes MSN Health, “who use the injectable contraceptive at nearly double the national rate”.
This raises concerns about racial disparities in healthcare, especially regarding informed consent and exposure to potential risks.
Depo-Provera has been associated with a range of side effects:
- Common: menstrual changes, headaches, weight gain
- Serious (though rare): bone density loss, mood changes, and brain tumors
- The discontinuation rate is high, with many women stopping use due to side effects.
Pfizer was previously fined over $2 million for failing to warn about bone density risks linked to Depo-Provera.
Women diagnosed with meningiomas after using Depo-Provera may be eligible to join the lawsuit:
- Legal experts advise acting quickly due to statutes of limitations on filing claims.
- Many law firms are offering free consultations for women who received at least two injections and were later diagnosed with a brain tumor.
In Summary, women across the U.S. - especially Black women are suing Pfizer over Depo-Provera, a widely used birth control shot now linked to increased risk of brain tumors. Scientific studies published in 2024 and 2025 support this connection. The lawsuits allege that Pfizer failed to adequately warn users, and the issue highlights racial disparities in healthcare and prescription practices.
If you or someone you know used Depo-Provera for over a year and was later diagnosed with a meningioma, it may be wise to seek legal advice about joining the lawsuit.